If Kalan.FrFr started as every Los Angeles street rapper’s go-to hook-man – a Nate Dogg for the new Southern California streets – he has evolved into a multi-faceted songwriting virtuoso. For all of the streaming hits (over 360 million), sold-out shows, and big-name collaborations that the Roc Nation-signed hip-hop and R&B fusionist has already racked up, you might think a sense of complacency could begin to seep in. But nothing could be further from the truth.
On Kalan.FrFr’s latest 6-song EP, Not Hard 2 Understand, the charismatic and laidback storyteller combines a clever mix of punchlines, flexes and old-school macking tales that keeps West Coast music alive. On the Mustard produced “Ain’t Nothin,” the simmering mid-tempo single that offers an R&B vibe, we find the lyrical tastemaker making it clear that life is good and that providing the luxurious extravagances for women is not a problem. Multi-platinum Grammy nominated producer Mustard is most well known for his work with West Coast artists like YG, Ty Dolla $ign and Nipsey Hussle while the anticipated collab with Kalan.FrFr doesn’t disappoint. About the EP Kalan says, “Working on the project Not Hard 2 Understand was amazing. Every song on there is slapping from start to finish. All the visuals are dope features and fire. It’s going to have the music world lit. It’s time for it.”
Kalan.FrFr is in his creative bag
In his creative zone, Kalan.FrFr stunts all over “Don’t Move,” dropping bars that warn listeners to keep it cool atop a g-funk soaked beat with a hint of bounce alongside rising Detroit rapper Tay B. Kalan collaborated with Grammy award winning producers The Stereotypes on “Creep,” a piano-laced anthem for making reckless decisions which bridges Kalan’s melodic flossing with his effortless verbal techniques to create a distinct street sound. Touching the soul and lifting spirits, “High Vibration” is a modern day romance record that basks in poetically confessional lyrics about showing love to and receiving love from that special one. There is a vocal sample from Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin at the end that acknowledges the contrasting dynamics in relationships. On the Mike Hector produced “She So,” Kalan samples Da Brat’s 90s classic “Funkdafied” and focuses his attention on praising the female form.
Not Hard 2 Understand is special body of work that relishes in how simple the message should be. Kalan.FrFr doesn’t apologize for the ways street culture shaped his worldview but he celebrates it in sincere detail and delivers it with confidence and pride, showcasing his growth as an artist and young man. The EP also features the smash single “Butterfly Coupe” with Migos frontman Quavo which was released earlier this year. The Hitmaka and OG Parker produced track is a hedonistic, roof-missing glide through the streets of L.A., replete with lavish visions of big rims, designer clothing, penthouses suites, gorgeous women, and thousand-dollar steakhouse dinners
What’s next?
Over the last five years, the seductive crooner from Carson has cemented his place among the top West Coast artists of this era, receiving co-signs from the likes of Lil Durk, YG, Gervonta Davis, Russell Westbrook, and Jay-Z. As Pitchfork says: “when you’re talking about L.A.’s new wave of shit-talking, designer-obsessed rappers, Kalan.FrFr should be included. He just happens to sing.”
Kalan.FrFr creates music with a therapeutic quality that snaps people out of the matrix and reminds them that there is still so much living to do. He’s paving the way for something that we haven’t seen before. This is real music with real feelings. After all, it’s in his very name.
